Today we do an expositional study of the book of Malachi. How can we relate to the chastisement of this messenger today?
Malachi
Who is this Malachi guy? Some say he’s a contemporary of Ezra or Nehemiah. Some say he is Ezra or Nehemiah because the word malachi just means “my messenger”. There is some discussion as to whether Malachi is a proper name or a descriptive term.
There is also some discussion about the date of the writing. Based on some clues within the writing a good estimate puts it around 450-460 BC. The mention of the temple at least suggests the writing occurred sometime after the completion of the 2nd temple. In most estimations, it is chronologically the last writing of the canon of the Old Testament.
The content of book primarily a warning against complacency and a lack of holy reverence for temple practices and service to God in general. The book culminates in a prophecy of judgment by fire to come upon those who fail to revere God properly.
In addition, the book prophecies the coming of another messenger later revealed to be John The Baptist. A cursory study of the teachings of John the Baptist actual reveals a lot of parallels to the book of Malachi including a warning of judgment against the nation.